Bon Soo gets funky

Hoodies or blinkies?

This year there are two funky new ways to express your love for Ontario's coolest winter carnival dude.

Fashion-conscious fans of Mr. Bon Soo will be sporting the new hoodies, with a choice between very-cool black and the traditional fire-engine red for people who really need attention.

And you can get still more attention by covering yourself with newly designed blinkies featuring the 42-year-old party guy's ellipsoid-shaped head, said carnival General Manager Donna Gregg.

This year's carnival runs from January 28 to February 6 at hot spots throughout the city.

Organizers brought everyone up to speed on the 2005 event at last night's official Bon Soo kickoff, held in the carnival's host hotel, Holiday Inn Sault Ste. Marie - Waterfront.

Shown above getting very excited by all the new stuff featuring the face of her favourite schnooky-lumps is Lisa McMillan, the carnival's guru of cash flow and souvenirs.

"We traditionally do fairly well selling souvenirs," said McMillan. "I guess changing it up, adding new items and changing our logo every year helps."

Besides new hoodies and blinkies, Bon Soo fans will be able to pick up all their old favorites, including hats, vests and sweatshirts at the official Bon Soo store opening December 9 in the old Aldo Shoes location in Station Mall.

It's also the only place in town to get everything you need to decorate your office, house or whatever for the carnival decorating contests.

The shop will be open during mall hours, and will also sell Bon Soo buttons, which are needed to attend carnival events and went up to a whopping $5 this year.

"Its still the best deal in town," said Gregg.

This year's Bon Soo button, featuring Mr. Bon Soo sliding at Fantasy Kingdom with fireworks exploding in the background, will get the person wearing it into 35 events free over the 10-day carnival.

The button also comes with a number of discount coupons and ballots to enter daily draws.